Electronic access memory device and access point control

ABSTRACT

A lock system is provided including a plurality of access point controls and at least one access memory device. The access memory device is configured to communicate information between access point controls.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/970,998 filed on Jan. 8, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,487,742, which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/032,745 filed Jan.11, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,316,140, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/688,536 filed Oct. 17, 2003, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,840,072, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/115,749 filed Apr. 3, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,606,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/287,981filed Apr. 7, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,986, which claimed thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/080,874 filedApr. 7, 1998, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to electronic tokens and locks thatcooperate to determine if access should be granted to the user of thetoken. More particularly, the present invention relates to tokens thatcommunicate information from access point control to another.

Conventional locksets include a lock cylinder, a lock core that fitswithin the lock cylinder, and a token that cooperates with the lockcore. The lock cylinder can take many forms. For example, the lockcylinder may be a padlock or part of a mortise lockset or cylindricallockset. No matter what form the lock cylinder takes, the lock cylinderincludes an opening that receives the lock core. Traditionally, the lockcores have included mechanical features that cooperated with amechanical token to determine if the user of the token is granted ordenied access through the lockset. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.4,424,693, 4,444,034, and 4,386,510.

Electronic access control systems interrogate a token having storedcodes therein and compare the token codes with valid access codes beforeproviding access to an area. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,042.If the token being interrogated has a valid access code, the electronicaccess control system interacts with portions of a lockset to permit theuser of the token to gain access to the area protected by the lockset.

Access control systems may include mechanical and electrical accesscomponents to require that a token include both a valid “mechanicalcode”, for example, an appropriately configured bitted blade to properlyposition mechanical tumblers, and the valid electronic access codebefore the user of the token is granted access. See, for example, U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,826,450, 5,768,925, and 5,685,182. Many of theseelectromechanical access control systems use power sources and accesscode validation systems which are not situated in the lock core andtoken and are thus connected by separate circuitry to the lock core.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an access controlsystem is provided for a facility including a plurality of accesspoints. The system includes at least one database includingrecombination data; a plurality of hard-wired access point controlpositioned to control access through the plurality of access points ofthe facility and hard-wired to the database to receive recombinationdata from the at least one database; at least one access memory devicehaving memory that stores recombination data from at least one of theplurality of hard-wired access point control; and a plurality ofstand-alone access point control positioned to control access throughthe plurality of access points of the facility. The stand-alone accesspoint controls include memory that stores recombination data receivedfrom the at least one access memory device. The plurality of hard-wiredaccess point controls define an outer perimeter. The plurality ofstand-alone locksets are positioned within the outer perimeter definedby the plurality of hard-wired access point controls.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an access controlsystem is provided for a facility including a plurality of accesspoints. The system includes at least one access memory device havingmemory; a plurality of one stand-alone access point controls positionedto control access through the plurality of access points of thefacility; a plurality of hard-wired access point controls positioned tocontrol access through the plurality of access points of the facility;and at least one database. The stand-alone access point controlsdetermine if the at least one access memory device has access rights tothe access points. The plurality of stand-alone access point controlsinclude memory that records access history information. The plurality ofstand-alone access point controls and the at least one access memorydevice have communicators through which the access history informationis downloaded from the memory of at least one of the stand-alone accesspoint controls to the memory of the at least one access memory device.The plurality of hard-wired access point controls have a communicatorthrough which the access history information is downloaded from thememory of the access memory device. The plurality of hard-wired accesscontrol points controls define an outer perimeter. The plurality ofstand-alone access point controls are positioned within the outerperimeter defined by the plurality of hard-wired access point controls.The at least one database receives the access history information fromthe plurality of hard-wired access point controls.

Additional features of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode ofcarrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a token, a lock core, and a lockcylinder, the lock cylinder being formed to include an aperture toreceive the lock core, and the lock core being formed to include apassageway to receive the token;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing thelock core including a mechanical portion having two tumbler pin barrelson the left side of the lock core and an electrical portion having acircuit, actuator, and mechanical linkage;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing the tokenpositioned to lie in the passageway formed in the lock core, the tokenincluding a mechanical portion (bitted blade) and an electrical portion(phantom lines), the mechanical portion of the token interacting withthe mechanical portion of the lock core, and the token engaging themechanical linkage of the electrical portion of the lock core;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the circuitand actuator moving the mechanical linkage to permit the token tooperate the lock core;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 showing thelock core including a core body, a key plug positioned to lie within thecore body and formed to include the passageway to receive the token, acontrol sleeve positioned to lie between the core body and key plug, acontrol lug appended to the control sleeve, and tumbler pins couplingthe core body, control sleeve, and key plug together;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing a control tokeninserted into the lock core and biasing the tumbler pins so thatrotation of the control token rotates the control sleeve and key plugrelative to the core body;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing an operating tokeninserted into lock core and biasing the tumbler pins so that rotation ofthe operating token rotates the key plug relative to the control sleeveand core body;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of an electronictoken and lock core showing the lock core including a core body, amechanical linkage having an energy storage system comprised of springs,bearings, and a cantilevered arm for insertion into the core body, anelectromagnetic actuator having a blocker armature for mounting withinthe core body, a signal-receiving element to be located in a cavityformed in the front face of the core body, and a key plug having ablocker-receiving cavity and a keyway for insertion in the core body andshowing the token including a bow and a bitted blade for receipt in thekeyway, a casing for attachment to the bow, and a power supply and codestorage elements lying in the casing;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing thelock core including a mechanical portion having two tumbler pin barrelseach containing tumbler pins partially extending into the keyway andblocking rotation of the key plug relative to the core body and anelectrical portion including the blocker of the electromagnetic actuatorreceived in the blocker-receiving channel of the key plug to blockrotation of the key plug relative to the core body;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 with a token of FIG. 8inserted into the keyway showing the bitted blade of the token aligningthe tumbler pins of the mechanical portion of the lock core so that thetumbler pins no longer inhibit rotation of the key plug within the corebody and compressing the springs and rotating the cantilevered arm ofthe electrical portion of the lock core to store energy within thesprings and showing the blocker armature of the electromagnetic actuatorstill being received in the blocker receiving cavity but being free torotate out of the blocker receiving cavity upon receipt of an authorizedaccess signal by the electromagnetic actuator from the circuit afterinterrogating identification information on the token;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 10 showing the blockerarmature of the electromagnetic actuator rotated out of the blockerreceiving cavity after receipt of an appropriate code from the tokenallowing the key plug to rotate freely within core body;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of another preferred embodiment of a lockcore showing the lock core including a core body, a key plug having akeyway therethrough, a mechanical portion having two tumbler pin barrelseach containing tumbler pins extending into the keyway and positioned toprohibit rotation of the key plug relative to the core body, and anelectrical portion having a mechanical energy storage mechanismcomprised of a tumbler ball bearing, springs, a blocking body having astep formed therein, a latch engaging the step of the blocking body, andan electromagnetic actuator controlling movement of the latch;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12 with the token of FIG. 8inserted in the keyway of the key plug so that the bitted blade haspositioned the tumbler pins of the mechanical portion in a positionwhich does not inhibit rotation of the key plug relative to the corebody and stored energy in the spring of the electrical portion;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 13 after the electromagneticactuator has been energized in response to the receipt of a valid accesscode from the token and has disengaged the latch from the step formed inthe blocking body to allow energy stored in the lower spring to urge theblocking body into a position in which it no longer inhibits rotation ofkey plug with respect to core body;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of yet another preferred embodiment of anelectronic lock core including a mechanical portion having two tumblerpin barrels each containing tumbler pins partially extending into thekeyway and blocking rotation of the key plug relative to the core bodyand an electrical portion including a flange coupled to a disk that ispivotally attached to an electromagnet extending into a channel to holdthe blocker body in a blocker-receiving cavity of the key plug and blockrotation of the key plug relative to the core body;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the electromagnetic actuator of FIG. 15showing a core of an electromagnet into which a coil is inserted and aferrous disk having the flange for receipt in the indentation in theblocker body that is pivotally mounted to the electromagnet;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 15 showingthe flange of the ferrous disk received in the indentation in theblocker to prevent movement of the blocker and also showing a mechanicalportion similar to that shown in FIGS. 9-11;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 17 with a token as shown inFIG. 8 inserted in the keyway showing the electromagnet energized inresponse to an authorized code to pivot the flange to a positionallowing movement of energy storage mechanism;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of yet another preferred embodiment of alock core according to the present invention, showing the lock coreincluding a mechanical portion having two tumbler pin barrels eachcontaining tumbler pins extending partially into the keyway and blockingthe rotation of key plug with respect to core body, a mechanical energystorage device having semi-spherical ended tumblers, a coiled spring, apivotally mounted latch with a blocker end, a storage end, and anindentation, and a torsion spring, and also showing a latch receivingcavity in the key plug with the blocker end of the latch receivedtherein, a latch blocker having a tip received in the indentation, andan electromagnetic actuator for moving the latch blocker;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 19 with a token of FIG. 8inserted in the keyway so that the bitted blade has positioned thetumbler pins of the mechanical portion in a position which does notinhibit rotation of the key plug relative to the core body and has urgedthe semi-spherical tumblers upward to store energy in the spring thatmay be released to urge the blocker end of latch from its currentposition in which it continues to inhibit rotation of the key plug withrespect to the core body to a second position (shown in phantom lines)in which blocker end of latch is no longer received in the blockerreceiving channel;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 20 showing the blocker endof the latch rotated out of the blocker receiving channel in response toremoval of the tip of the latch blocker from the indentation of thelatch after the electromagnet has been momentarily energized in responseto receiving an authorized code to free the key plug to rotate withrespect to the core body;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of yet another preferred embodiment of theelectronic lock core of the present invention showing a mechanicalportion having two tumbler pin barrels each having tumbler pinspartially extending into the keyway and blocking rotation of the keyplug relative to the core body and a mechanical energy storage deviceincluding tumblers, a lower spring, a blocker body having an annularindentation and an upper spring, and a ball bearing received in a sleeveopening at one end adjacent to the blocker body and, at the other end,adjacent to a cam attached to a rotatable shaft, the ball bearing beingreceived in the indentation to block motion of the blocker body;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 22 with a token ofFIG. 8 received in the keyway aligning the tumbler pins of themechanical portion to permit rotation of the key plug relative to thecore body and compressing the lower spring of the mechanical energystorage device to store energy for moving the blocker body upward uponremoval of the ball from the indentation of the blocker body;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 23 showing the camrotated 180 degrees from the position shown in FIG. 23 by a rotatablesolenoid in response to a valid access signal thereby allowing the ballto move out of the indentation of the blocker body which has been urgedupward by the energy stored in the lower spring so that the blocker bodyno longer blocks rotation of the key plug relative to the core body;

FIG. 25 is a partially exploded view of another preferred embodiment ofa bow cover for a token;

FIG. 26 is a partially exploded view of yet another preferred embodimentof a bow cover;

FIG. 27 is a partially exploded view of yet another preferred embodimentof a bow cover;

FIG. 28 is a partially exploded view of yet another preferred embodimentof a bow cover;

FIGS. 29-44 are flow charts showing the functional operation of severalembodiments of the circuit of the electrical portion of the lock coreshown in FIGS. 2-4;

FIGS. 45-50 are flow charts showing the functional operation of severalembodiments of the electronic portion of the token shown in FIGS. 2-4;

FIG. 51 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of another preferredembodiment of a lock core and token positioned to lie in the lock coreshowing the lock core including an electrical portion, the tokenincluding an electrical portion, and the token being an “operatingtoken” which interacts with the electrical portion of the lock core topermit rotation of a first portion of the lock core;

FIG. 52 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 51 showing the lock core ofFIG. 51 and a “control” token positioned to lie in the lock core, the“control” token includes an electrical portion which interacts with theelectrical portion of the lock core to permit rotation of a secondportion of the lock core;

FIGS. 53-68 are flow charts showing the functional operation of thecircuit of the electrical portion of the lock core shown in FIGS. 51 and52;

FIG. 69 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 51 of yet anotheralternative embodiment of a lock core showing the lock core having anelectrical portion and a mechanical portion;

FIG. 70 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 2, 51, and 69 of yetanother alternative embodiment of a lock core showing the lock corehaving an electrical portion and a mechanical portion;

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of a token according to the presentinvention showing the token including a bow, a blade having a proximalend coupled to the bow and a distal end spaced apart from the bow, andan electrical portion (phantom lines) having an electrical contactpositioned to lie at the distal end of the blade;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of a token according to the presentinvention showing the token including an electrical portion (phantomlines) having an electrical contact positioned to lie on the bladebetween the proximal and distal ends of the blade;

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of a token according to the presentinvention showing the token including an electrical portion (phantomlines) having an inductance coil positioned to lie in the blade;

FIG. 74 is a perspective view of a token having a bow, a bitted bladecoupled to the bow, and a cylindrical blade having electrical contactscoupled to the bow, the cylindrical blade extending substantiallyperpendicular to the bitted blade;

FIG. 75 is a perspective view of a token having a bow and a bladecoupled to the bow, the blade having a triangular cross section todefine three surfaces and electrical contacts on two of the surfaces;

FIG. 76 is a perspective view of a key showing the key having a bittedblade and an electrical contact on the bitted blade;

FIG. 77 is a perspective view of a token according to the presentinvention showing the token including a power source (phantom lines)positioned to lie in the blade of the token;

FIG. 78 is a perspective view of another token according to the presentinvention showing the token including a power source (phantom lines)positioned to lie in the bow of the token;

FIG. 79 is a perspective view of a lock core according to the presentinvention showing the lock core including a power source (phantomlines);

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of a power charger used to recharge powerto tokens;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of an information programmer used toprogram tokens charged by the power charger shown in FIG. 59; and

FIG. 82 is a perspective view of a user holding the token, the tokenincluding a handle having killswitch and a blade having a mechanicalbitted portion and electrical contacts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An electronic token 10 and lock core 12 in accordance with the presentinvention are shown in FIG. 1. The electronic token 10 and lock core 12are components of a lockset that is installed in an entryway to restrictaccess through the entryway to valid individuals. The electronic token10 and core 12 may include mechanical, electrical, and/orelectrical/mechanical features that are used to grant or deny access tothe user of the token 10. The electronic lock core 12 is interchangeablewith a conventional lock core as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,444,034, 4,386,510, and 4,424,693. Thus, to change from a conventionalmechanical lock core to the electronic lock core 12, a user must simplyremove the mechanical lock core from the lock cylinder 14 and insert theelectronic lock core 12 in the same lock cylinder 14.

Additional lockset components shown in FIG. 1 include a conventionallock cylinder 14 having a lock core-receiving aperture 16 and a throwmember 18. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, thecylinder may be replaced by a padlock or any other type of closure orhousing that accepts lock cores 12. Throw member 18 is a conventionallockset component and functions to transfer rotation or any type ofmovement induced by a token from lock core 12 to the rest of a lockset.In alternative embodiments, the throw member 18 may be replaced with anytype of mechanism that performs the function of transferring rotationfrom the lock core 12 to the rest of the lockset.

The electronic lock core 12 and token 10 operate as a standalone unitand thus lock core 12 does not need to be hard-wired into an electricalsystem. All power required by lock core 12 and token 10 come from lockcore 12 and token 10. In addition, any other features of the lockingsystem such as access tracking, recombination, clock, display feedback,etc. must be contained within the token 10 and/or lock core 12.

The lock core 12 includes a mechanical portion 20 and an electricalportion 22 that must be satisfied to permit an individual access throughthe entryway restricted by lock core 12 as shown in FIGS. 2-4. The token10 also includes a mechanical portion 24 and an electrical portion 26that cooperate with the mechanical and electrical portions 20, 22 of thelock core 12 to determine if the user of token 10 is permitted tooperate the lockset.

Lock core 12 includes a core body 28, a key plug or lock actuator 30positioned to lie in core body 28, a control sleeve 32 positioned to liein core body 28, a control lug 34 coupled to control sleeve 32, pintumbler barrels 36 positioned to lie partially in core body 28 andpartially in the key plug 30, and a face plate 39 as shown, for example,in FIGS. 1-7. The pin tumbler barrels 36 comprise the mechanical portion20 of lock core 12.

Key plug 30 is formed to include a keyway 37 that receives token 10.Keyway 37 is in communication with pin tumbler barrels 36. Key plug 30,control sleeve 32, and control lug 34 are rotatable relative to corebody 28 by a token 10 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The key plug 30 can berotated by itself as shown in FIG. 7 and the key plug 30, control sleeve32, and control lug 34 can be rotated together relative to core body 28as shown in FIG. 6. When key plug 30 is rotated by itself, token 10 ispermitted to rotate throw member 18 and thus cause the lockset to lockor unlock as desired.

Key plug 30 is one type of lock actuator that transfers movement inducedby a token to move a door latch or other component of a lockset. Inalternative embodiments of the present invention, key plug 30 may belinearly movable with respect to core body 28 to move a door latch orother component of the lockset.

When control sleeve 32 and control lug 34 are rotated with key plug 30,control lug 34 is moved in and out of a recess 38 formed in lockcylinder 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5-7. When control lug 34 ispositioned to lie in recess 38 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, lock core 12is securely held within lock cylinder 14. When control lug 34 ispositioned to lie out of recess 38 as shown in FIG. 6, lock core 12 maybe slid out of lock cylinder 14.

To rotate key plug 30 alone and, alternatively, control sleeve 32,control lug 34, and key plug 30 together, two different tokens are usedwith lock core 12. One of the tokens is referred to as an operatingtoken 40 and is used when a user wants to rotate key plug 30 alone tocause the lockset to lock and unlock. The second token is referred to asa control token 42 and is used when a user wants to rotate key plug 30,control sleeve 32, and control lug 34 to move control lug 34 in and outof recess 38 formed in lock cylinder 14. The operating and controltokens 40, 42 cooperate with tumbler pins 44 positioned to lie in pintumbler barrels 36 to determine if key plug 30 is rotated alone ortogether with control sleeve 32 and control lug 34.

Before a token 40, 42 is inserted into keyway 37 of key plug 30, tumblerpins 44 couple key plug 30 and control sleeve 32 to core body 28 asshown, for example, in FIGS. 2 and 5. When tumbler pins 44 are alignedin this manner, key plug 30 and control sleeve 32 are prevented fromrotating relative to core body 28.

The operating token 40 engages tumbler pins 44 to align the faces oftumbler pins 44, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, so that control sleeve32 is coupled to core body 28 through tumbler pins 44 and key plug 30 isnot coupled to core body 28 or control sleeve 32. This alignment oftumbler pins 44 by operating token 40 permits key plug 30 to rotatealone if all other locking systems of lock core 12 such as electricalportion 22 of lock core 12 are satisfied by operating token 40.

The control token 42 engages tumbler pins 44 to align the faces oftumbler pins 44 as shown in FIG. 6 so that control sleeve 32 is coupledto key plug 30 through tumbler pins 44 and neither key plug 30 norcontrol sleeve 32 is coupled to core body 28. This alignment of tumblerpins 44 by control token 42 permits key plug 30, control sleeve 32, andcontrol lug 34 to rotate together if all other locking systems of lockcore 12 such as electrical portion 22 of lock core 12 are satisfied bycontrol token 42.

The lock core 12 shown in FIG. 1 is a “figure-8 shaped” lock core 12. Inalternative embodiments of the present invention, lock cores of othershapes, sizes, and configurations may incorporate the features disclosedin the present invention. For example, many European lock cores have ashape referred to as a Euro-core design. Additional details relating tolock cores 12 that can be used with the present invention are found, forexample, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,444,034, 4,424,693, and 4,386,510 and areincorporated herein by reference.

The mechanical portion 24 of token 10 includes a bitted blade 46 and theelectrical portion 26 includes a circuit 48 and contact or coupling 50.The mechanical portion 20 of lock core 12 includes pin tumbler barrels36 and tumbler pins 44 that cooperate with bitted blade 46 of token 10.The operation of pin tumbler barrels 36 and tumbler pins 44 arediscussed in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,444,034, 4,424,693, and4,386,510 and are incorporated herein by reference. In alternativeembodiments, the mechanical portion 24 of the lock core 12 and token 10may include any type of mechanism in the lock core that the token mustactuate before a user is granted access.

The electrical portion 22 of lock core 12 includes a circuit 52, anactuator 54, a contact and coupling 56, and a mechanical linkage 57. Thecircuit 52 of lock core 12 and circuit 48 of token 10 communicatethrough contacts 50, 56. Many types of contacts 50, 56 can be used andplaced in many different locations on lock core 12 and token 10. Thesecontacts 50, 56 include ohmic and inductive contacts as discussed inprovisional patent application Ser. No. 60/080,974 filed Apr. 7, 1998that is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

The circuit 52 of lock core 12 may include various combinations of atoken identification reader or token communicator, a lock operator, arecombination system, a token access history, a clock, a power source, apower conditioner, and a power distributor. The circuit 48 of token 10may include various combinations of token identification information oraccess code 74, token access history, clock, and power source 82.Various lock core 12 and token 10 configurations having differentcombinations of the above-mentioned features are illustrated anddescribed in U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/080,974filed Apr. 7, 1998 that is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Before a token 10 is inserted into lock core 12, mechanical linkage 57couples key plug 30 and core body 28 as shown in FIG. 3. The engagementbetween token 10 and mechanical linkage 57 provides energy to mechanicallinkage 57 to later assist in moving mechanical linkage 57 if actuator54 permits mechanical linkage 57 to move. The energy supplied tomechanical linkage 57 by token 10 can be stored by a spring,piezoelectric material/capacitor, elastic material, or other suitabledevice. In alternative embodiments, the mechanical linkage does notcontact the token to receive energy.

After circuit 52 verifies that token 10 should be granted access,actuator 54 moves mechanical linkage 57 to a position shown in FIG. 4 topermit key plug 30 to rotate relative to core body 28 if the mechanicalportion 20 of lock core 12 is also satisfied by token 10. In theillustrated embodiment, the mechanical linkage 57 includes first andsecond portions 84, 86 that can be separated. When circuit 52 verifiesthat token 10 should be granted access, actuator 54 positions mechanicallinkage 57 so that the abutting faces of portions 84, 86 are positionedto lie at the intersection of core body 28 and key plug 30 and key plug30 can rotate relative to core body 28. In alternative embodiments, whencircuit 52 verifies that the token should be granted access, actuator 54removes the entire mechanical linkage from the key plug to permit thekey plug to rotate relative to the core body.

Because lock core 12 includes pin tumbler barrels 36, token 10 cannot beremoved until the token is returned to the same position at which it wasinserted as shown in FIG. 3. When token 10 is returned to this position,mechanical linkage 57 moves through chambers 88, 90 without assistancefrom actuator 54 to couple key plug 30 and core body 28 to prevent keyplug 30 from rotating.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 8-11, a first embodiment of lock core112 and token 110 are illustrated. Electronic lock core 112 includes acore body 128 having an aperture 117, a key plug or lock actuator 130sized to be received in the aperture 117 and formed to include a keyway137, a mechanical portion 120, and an electrical portion 122. Mechanicalportion 120 includes two pin tumbler barrels 136 each containing tumblerpins 144 partially extending into keyway 137 and blocking rotation ofkey plug 130 relative to core body 128, as shown, for example, in FIG.9, unless a token 110 containing an appropriately bitted blade 146 isinserted in keyway 137, as shown, for example in FIGS. 10-11.

Electrical portion 122 of lock core 112 includes a mechanical linkage157, an electromagnetic actuator 154, a token communicator or coupling156, and a circuit 152. Coupling 156 and circuit 152 are received in acavity 159 formed in face plate 139 of core body 128. Electromagneticactuator 154 includes an armature 161 pivotally supported for movementbetween first and second angularly displaced positions about a pivotaxis 163 extending though center of mass 106 of armature 161, anelectromagnet 165 having a pair of opposed pole members 167 extendingtoward the ends of armature 161 on either side of pivot axis 163, and athree pole permanent magnet 169 extending between pole members 167 ofelectromagnet 165. Armature 161 is received in a blocker-receivingchannel 171 of key plug 130 to block rotation of key plug 130 relativeto core body 128 when in the first position. Permanent magnet 169 biasesarmature 161 in the first position. When armature 161 is in the secondposition, it is not received in the blocker-receiving channel 171 andkey plug 130 is permitted to rotate relative to core body 128.

Mechanical linkage 157 includes an energy storage system 173 having aspring 175, a semi-spherical tumbler pin 145 having a first end 104extending into key way 137 and a spaced apart second end 105 andspherical tumbler pins 177 each including a downwardly facingsemi-spherical surface for insertion into a barrel 179 partially formedin core body 128 and partially formed in key plug 130, and acantilevered arm 181 for insertion into a cavity 183 in core body 128 incommunication with barrel 179. Semi-spherical tumbler pin 145 includes afirst end 104 extending into key way 137 and a spaced apart second end105 engaging one of spherical tumbler pins 177. Each spherical tumblerpin 177 includes a downwardly facing semi-spherical surface.

Semi-spherical tumbler pin 145 and spherical tumbler pins 177 areutilized so that tumbler alignment in mechanical linkage 157 does nothave to be as precise as the alignment of tumbler pins 144 in mechanicalportion 120 in permitting key plug 130 rotation. So long as thedownwardly facing semi-spherical surface of one of spherical pins 177 islocated at the interface of core body 128 and key plug 130, rotation ofkey plug 130 will urge that spherical pin 177 upwardly until it iscompletely positioned within the portion of barrel formed in core body128. Thus, the location of armature 161 with respect toblocker-receiving channel 171, and not the location of semi-sphericaltumbler pin 145 and spherical tumbler pins 177, determines whetherelectrical portion 122 inhibits rotation of key plug 130 relative tocore body 128. In alternative embodiments, the electrical portionincludes tumbler pins similar to tumbler pins 144 instead of pins 145,177 so that both the location of the armature 161 and the pins determinewhether the requirements of the electrical portion are satisfied.Similar barrels 279, 379, 479, and 579, pins 245, 277, 345, 377, 445,477, 545 and 577 are found in the lock core embodiments 212, 312, 412,and 512 described hereinafter to serve similar functions.

While FIG. 1 illustrates circuitry 48 and contact 50 integrally formedinto the bow of electronic token 10, a presently preferred embodiment ofelectronic token 110 includes a standard mechanical token 109 having abitted blade 146 and a bow 108 and a case 107 designed to encase bow108, as shown, for example, in FIG. 8. Case 107 contains the electricalportion 126 of token 110. Standard token 109 is designed so bitted blade146 may be received in keyway 137 of key plug 130. Illustrativelyelectrical portion 126 includes a power supply 182, a coupling 150,incorporated previously by reference, and token identificationinformation 174. Alternative forms of cases 607, 707, 807 and 907 forattachment to standard token bows are shown, for example, in FIGS.25-28, respectively.

Prior to token 110 insertion, tumbler pins 144 partially extend intokeyway 137 and block rotation of the key plug 130 relative to core body128 as shown in FIG. 9. Rotation of key plug 130 relative to core body128 is also blocked by armature 161 of electromagnetic actuator 154which is received in blocker-receiving channel 171 of key plug 130, asshown, for example, in FIG. 9. Armature 161 is inhibited from pivotingout of blocker-receiving channel 171 by cantilevered arm 181, as well asby permanent magnet 169.

When token 110 is inserted into keyway 137 bitted blade 146 of token 110aligns tumbler pins 144 of the mechanical portion 120 so that they nolonger inhibit rotation of key plug 130 with respect to core body 128 asshown in FIG. 10. Bitted blade 146 also urges semi-spherical tumbler pin145 upwardly compressing spring 175 and causing rotation of arm 181 outof engagement with armature 161 freeing armature 161 to move ifelectromagnet 165 is energized in response to a valid authorizationcode. Thus, immediately after insertion of token 110, armature 161 ofelectromagnetic actuator 154 is still received in blocker-receivingcavity 171 but is free to rotate out of blocker-receiving cavity 171upon lock core 112 receiving an authorized access signal from token 110,as shown, for example, in FIG. 10.

Compressed spring 175 stores energy which is used to urge arm 181 backinto its initial position upon removal of token 110 from keyway 137, asshown in FIG. 9. This stored energy facilitates the return of armature161 of electromagnetic actuator 154 to its blocking position inblocker-receiving slot 171.

If token 110 contains token identification information 174 which isauthorized to open lock, coil 185 of electromagnet 165 is energizedcausing armature 161 of electromagnetic actuator 154 to be rotated outof the blocker-receiving cavity 171. Electromagnetic actuator 154requires only a short energy pulse or trigger pulse to pivot armature161 to the non-blocking position of FIG. 11. Once pivoted to thenon-blocking position, armature 161 remains in that position withoutcontinued coil 185 energization. As a result, energy consumption ofelectronic lock core 112 is minimized extending the life of batteriesused as a power source 182. Operation of a similar electromagneticactuator 154 is described in depth in Ono et al. U.S. Pat. No.4,703,293, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

After the lockset has been configured to grant access to the authorizeduser, user removes token 110 from keyway 137 allowing the energy storedin compressed spring 175 to rotate arm 181 which pivots armature 161 ofelectromagnetic actuator 154 into its blocking position shown in FIG.10. No electrical energy is required to return armature 161 to itsblocking condition further extending the battery life of power source182.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, a second embodiment of the lock core 212 inaccordance with the present invention is illustrated. Lock core 212includes core body 228, a key plug or lock actuator 230 having a keyway237 therethrough, and a mechanical portion 220 including two tumbler pinbarrels 236 each containing tumblers pins 244 extending into keyway 237and blocking rotation of the key plug 230 relative to core body 228.Lock core 212 also includes electrical portion 222 having a coupling ortoken communicator 256, a circuit 252, an electromagnetic actuator 254,and a mechanical linkage 257. Mechanical linkage 257 includes amechanical energy storage system 273 having a semi-spherical tumbler pin245, spherical tumbler pins 277, a lower spring 275, an upper spring287, a blocking body 289 having a step 291 formed therein, a latch 281,and blocking body-receiving cavity 271 formed in key plug 230.Electromagnetic actuator 254 is coupled to latch 281 to control themovement of latch 281 between a position lying in step 291 of blockerbody 289 and a position away from step 291.

When token 210 is inserted into keyway 237 of key plug 230, bitted blade246 positions tumbler pins 244 of mechanical portion 220 so they do notinhibit rotation of the key plug 230 relative to the core body 228 asshown in FIG. 13. Bitted blade 246 also engages semi-spherical tumblerpin 245 and urges it, and spherical tumbler pins 277, upwardly tocompress lower spring 275. After token 210 insertion, but prior toreceiving an authorized code, latch 281 is positioned in step 291preventing blocking body 289 from moving out of blocker body-receivingcavity 271. The energy stored in the lower spring 275 after tokeninsertion is used to urge blocking body 289 upwardly out of blockerbody-receiving cavity 271 once latch 281 is urged away from step 291.

After electromagnetic actuator 254 has been energized in response to thereceipt of a valid access code, latch 281 is momentarily disengaged fromstep 291 allowing energy stored in lower spring 275 to urge blockingbody 289 into a position in which it no longer inhibits rotation of keyplug 230 with respect to core body 228 as shown in FIG. 14. The upwardmovement of blocking body 289 stores mechanical energy in upper spring287 which is later used to return blocking body 289 to its blockingposition upon removal of token 210 as shown in FIG. 12.

Electromagnetic actuator 254 includes a core 293, a movable element 261,and a spring 292 biasing the movable element 261 away from the core 293.Core 293 has a first end 221 having a cross-sectional area (not shown)and formed to include a circular opening 223 therethrough communicatingwith a cylindrical axial cavity 225 and a ring-shaped opening 227therethrough communicating with an annular cavity 229, a closed secondend 231, and a cylindrical coil 285 received in the annular cavity 229.

Movable element 261 includes a shaft 294 having a first end 295 formedto include a spring receiving cavity 296, a second end 297 having aconnector hole 298 extending therethrough, and a disk 299 extendingradially from the shaft 294 between the first end 295 and second end297. Disk 299 has a surface 201 facing first end 221 of electromagnet265 which has a cross-sectional area substantially similar tocross-sectional area of first end 221 of electromagnet 265. First end295 of movable element 261 is received in cylindrical axial cavity 225of core 293. Spring 292 is received in spring-receiving cavity 296 andengages closed second end 231 of core 293 to bias disk 299 away fromfirst end 231 of core 293. Second end 297 of shaft 294 is connected by afastener to latch 281 which is pivotally mounted about pivot axis 202 tolock core 212. Second end 297 is connected to latch 281 at a pointspaced apart from pivot axis 202 to increase mechanical advantage.

When current flows through coil 285 of electromagnet 265 in response toreceipt of an authorized code from token 210, a magnetic field isproduced which attracts surface 201 of disk 299 toward first end 231 ofcore 293 causing latch 281 to pivot away from blocking body 289 and todisengage step 291. Blocking body 289 is immediately urged upwardly bycompressed spring 275 upon disengagement of latch 281 from step 291 asshown in FIG. 14. Cessation of current flow causes shaft 294 to move inthe direction of arrow 211 in FIG. 12 allowing latch 281 to pivot intoengagement with sidewall 288 of blocking body 289. Upon token 210removal upper spring 287 will urge blocking body 289 to its blockingposition while allowing latch 281 to be urged into engagement with step291 as shown in FIG. 12. Thus, current need only flow through coil 285long enough to disengage latch 281 from step 291 momentarily so thatblocking body 289 can be urged upwardly out of blocker-receiving cavity271. Because continuous current flow through coil 285 is not required tomaintain the electrical portion 222 in a state in which key plug 230rotation with respect to core body 228 is permitted, battery 182 lifecan be extended.

Referring to FIGS. 15-18, a third embodiment of an electronic lock core312 is illustrated. Electronic lock core 312 includes a core body 328, akey plug or lock actuator 330 formed to include a keyway 337, amechanical portion 320, and an electrical portion 322. Mechanicalportion 320 includes two tumbler pin barrels 336 each containing tumblerpins 344 partially extending into keyway 337 and blocking rotation ofkey plug 330 relative to core body 328. Electrical portion 322 includesa coupling or token communicator 356, circuit 352, an electromagneticactuator 354, and a mechanical linkage 357. Mechanical linkage 357includes a mechanical energy storage system 373 having a semi-sphericaltumbler pin 345, spherical tumbler pins 377, lower spring 375, upperspring 387, a blocking body 389 having a channel 391 formed therein, anda blocker-receiving cavity 371 formed in key plug 330. Electromagneticactuator 354 includes an electromagnet 365, a movable element 361attached by a hinge coupling to electromagnet 365, and a spring 392biasing the unattached portions of movable element 361 away from theelectromagnet 365. Electromagnetic actuator 254 includes anelectromagnet 365, a movable element 361 attached by a hinge coupling toelectromagnet 365, and a spring 392 biasing the unattached portions ofmovable element 361 away from the electromagnet 365.

Movable element 361 includes a disk-shaped ferrous element 399 having anelectromagnet-facing surface 301, an opposite surface having a flange381 extending therefrom, and a mounting bracket 384 formed at one edge.Electromagnet 365 includes a core 393 and a coil 385. Core 393 includesa closed first end 321, a cylindrical outer shell 319 extending from thefirst end 321, a central shaft 313 extending axially from the first end321, and a second end 331 having a mounting ear 315 extending therefrom.The core 393 is formed to include an annular opening 327 communicatingwith an internal cavity 329 defined by the outer shell 319, closed end321, and central shaft 317. Mounting bracket of movable element 361 ispivotally connected to mounting ear 315 of core 393, as shown, forexample, in FIG. 16 so that electromagnet-facing surface 301 is directedtoward second end 331 of core 393. Coil 385 and spring 392 are receivedin cavity 329, as shown, for example, in FIG. 16.

Electromagnetic actuator 354 is mounted in cavity 383 of lock body 328so that flange 381 of movable element 361 is biased toward channel 391of blocking body 389 by spring 392. When current is induced to flowthrough coil 385, an electromagnetic field is generated which attractsdisk 399 of movable element 361 toward second end 331 of electromagnet365 causing flange 381 to pivot out of channel 391. If a token 310including an appropriately bitted blade 346 has been inserted intokeyway 337, mechanical energy storage system 373 compresses lower spring375 to store energy which urges blocking body 389 upwardly out ofblocker body-receiving channel 371 immediately upon removal of flange381 from channel 391.

Referring to FIGS. 19-21 a fourth embodiment of a lock core 412 isillustrated. Lock core 412 includes mechanical portion 420 having twotumbler pin barrels 436 each containing tumbler pins 444 extendingpartially into the keyway 437 blocking the rotation of key plug or lockactuator 430 with respect to core body 428 and an electrical portion422. Electrical portion 422 includes a coupling or token communicator456, circuit 452, an electromagnetic actuator 454, and a mechanicallinkage 457. Mechanical linkage 457 includes a mechanical energy storagesystem 473 having a semi-spherical tumbler 445, a semi-spherical endedtumbler 477, a lower spring 475, a pivotally-mounted latch 481 having ablocker end 482, a storage end 486, and an indentation 491, a torsionspring 487, and a latch-receiving cavity 471 in the key plug 430.Before, token 410 communicates with lock core 412, blocker end 482 oflatch 481 is positioned in latch-receiving cavity 471 of key plug 430 toprevent rotation of key plug 430 relative to core body 428.

Electromagnetic actuator 454 includes an electromagnet 465, a movableelement 461, and a spring 492. Electromagnet 465 includes a core 493having a first end 421 formed to include a circular opening 423therethrough communicating with a cylindrical axial cavity 425 and aring-shaped opening 427 therethrough communicating with an annularcavity 429, a closed second end 431, and a cylindrical coil 485 receivedin the annular cavity 429. Movable element 461 includes a shaft 494having a first end 495 formed to include a spring-receiving cavity 496,a pointed second end 497, and a disk 499 extending radially from theshaft 494 between the first end 495 and second end 497. First end 495 ofmovable element 461 is received in cylindrical axial cavity 425 of core493. Spring 492 is received in spring-receiving cavity 496 and engagesclosed second end 431 of core 493 to bias disk 499 away from first end431 of core 493. Second end 497 of shaft 494 is biased by spring 492toward and for receipt into indentation 491 of latch 481 which ispivotally mounted to lock core 412. Coil 485 and spring 492 are receivedin cavity 427, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 19-21.

When a token 410 is inserted into keyway 437, bitted blade 446 positionstumbler pins 444 of mechanical portion 420 in a position which does notinhibit rotation of the key plug 430 relative to the core body 428.Bitted blade 446 also urges semi-spherical tumbler pin 445 upwardlystoring energy in spring 475 that may be later released to urge storageend 486 of pivotally-mounted latch 481 upwardly and pivot blocker end482 of latch 481 from its blocking position, in which it inhibitsrotation of key plug 430 with respect to core body 428, to a secondposition (shown in phantom lines) in which blocker end 482 of latch 481is no longer received in the blocker-receiving channel 471.

Blocker end 482 of latch 481 is pivoted out of the blocker-receivingchannel 471 in response to removal of tip 497 of movable element 461from indentation 491 in latch 481 after the electromagnet 465 has beenmomentarily energized in response to receiving an authorized codefreeing the key plug 430 to rotate with respect to the core body 428.

Referring to FIGS. 22-24 a fifth embodiment of electronic lock core 512is illustrated. Lock core 512 includes a mechanical portion 520,electrical portion 522, a key plug or lock actuator 530, and a core body528. Mechanical portion 520 includes two tumbler pin barrels 536 eachcontaining tumbler pins 544 partially extending into keyway 537 andblocking rotation of key plug 530 relative to core body 528. Electricalportion 522 includes a circuit 552, a electromagnetic actuator 554, acoupling or token communicator 556, and a mechanical linkage 557. As analternative configuration to previously discussed embodiment of lockcore 12, circuit 552 is located within cavity 583 instead of in cavity559 in face plate 539. Mechanical linkage 557 includes a mechanicalenergy storage system 573, a ball bearing 533, a cam 535, and a ballbearing-receiving sleeve 541. Mechanical energy storage device 573includes a semi-spherical ended tumbler 545, a spherical tumbler 577, alower spring 575, an upper spring 587, and a blocker body 589 having anannular indentation 591. Cam 535 is attached to rotatable element 543 ofa rotational solenoid 547. Ball bearing 533 is received in sleeve 541which opens at one end 549 adjacent to blocker body 589 and at the otherend 551 adjacent to a cam 535. Cam 535 has a first surface 553, a secondsurface 555, and an inclined surface 579 extending between the first andsecond surfaces 553, 555. Cam 535 is positioned so that when ballbearing 533 engages first surface 553 of cam 535, ball bearing 533 isheld securely within indentation 591 in blocking body 589.

When a token 510 is initially inserted into keyway 537, bitted blade 546aligns tumbler pins 544 of mechanical portion 520 to not inhibitrotation of key plug 530 relative to core body 528. Bitted blade 546also engages and urges semi-spherical tumbler 545 upwardly compressinglower spring 575 of mechanical energy storage system 573. Compressedlower spring 575 stores energy for moving blocker body 589 upon removalof ball bearing 533 from indentation 591 of blocker body 589. However,until a valid authorization code is received and rotational solenoid 547is energized, ball bearing 533 is securely held within indentation 591preventing blocking body 589 from moving upwardly out ofblocker-receiving cavity 571 formed in key plug 530. Therefore,electrical portion 522 continues to inhibit rotation of key plug 530relative to core body 528.

If token 510 sends a valid access code to electronic core 512,rotational solenoid 547 rotates 180 degrees from the position shown inFIGS. 22-23 to the position shown in FIG. 24. During the rotation ofrotatable shaft 543 of rotatable solenoid 547, ball bearing 533 is urgedout of indentation 591 by upward motion of blocking body 589 so thatball bearing 533 rides along inclined surface 579 to second surface 555of cam 535. Blocker body 589 is urged upwardly by the energy previouslystored in lower spring 575. Upward movement of blocking body 589 causesblocking body 589 to not be received in blocker-receiving cavity 571 andtherefore to not block rotation of the key plug 530 relative to the corebody 528. Upward movement of blocker body 589 also compresses upperspring 587 to store energy to facilitate return of blocker body 589 toits blocking state upon removal of bitted blade 546 from keyway 537.

Once blocker body 589 has moved upwardly, ball bearing 533 engagessidewall 588 of blocker body 589 and is squeezed between second surface555 and side wall 588 mechanically preventing cam 535 and movableelement 543 of rotational solenoid 547 from returning to their initialorientations. Although rotatable element 543 is spring 592 biased toreturn to the position shown in FIGS. 22-23 when no current flowsthrough solenoid 547, it is prevented from doing so by the abovesqueezing action. Thus, rotational solenoid 547 no longer needs to beenergized to maintain it in the non-blocking position allowing powerconsumption of electrical portion 522 of lock core 512 to be reduced.

When bitted blade 546 is removed form keyway 537, upper spring 587expands and urges blocking body 589 downwardly into blocker-receivingcavity 571. During this downward movement, ball bearing 533 follows sidewall 588 of blocking body 589 until it is forced back into indentation591 of blocking body 589. Thus no electrical power is consumed torestore lock core 512 to a state in which key plug 530 is prohibitedfrom rotating relative to lock core 528.

As previously mentioned, the circuits 48, 52 and contacts or couplings50, 56 used in each of the five specifically described embodiments mayvary as to their configurations and individual components. Variousexamples of circuit 48, 52 configurations are illustrated and describedin provisional application Ser. No. 60/080,974 that is expresslyincorporated by reference. Contacts and couplings 50, 56 includingmetallic contacts, conductive elastic contacts, capacitive couplings,inductive couplings, optical couplings and combinations of theaforementioned are also illustrated and described in the provisionalapplication. Additional examples of circuits 48, 52 and contacts orcouplings 50, 56 are described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,870,915, 5,870,913, 5,841,363, 5,836,187, 5,826,499, and 5,823,027,the disclosures of which are specifically incorporated herein byreference.

As outlined above, token and lock core circuits 48, 52 include manyfeatures that can be combined in various ways. In all embodiments oftoken circuits 48, the token circuit 48 includes token identificationinformation 74 that communicates with the token identification reader 58of lock core 12 through a token operator 75. The lock operator 60 oflock core circuit 52 considers the information contained in tokenidentification information 74 to determine whether to grant or denyaccess to the user of token 10.

The recombination system 62 of lock core circuit 52 communicates withlock operator 60 to program lock operator 60 as to which tokens 10should be granted permission to rotate key plug 30, control sleeve 32,and control lug 34. In conventional mechanical lock cores, therecombination system included changing the number or size of tumblerpins in pin tumbler barrels as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,424,693, 4,386,510, and 4,444,034. Recombinating the mechanicalportion 20 of lock core 12 is accomplished by changing the number andsize of tumbler pins as described in these patents.

The electronic recombination of circuit 52 via recombination system 62may be accomplished by 1) inserting a “recombinating token” into lockcore 12 and the recombinating token communicating with recombinationsystem 62 through contact 56 of lock core 12; 2) placing a contact (notshown) on face plate 39 of lock core 12 that can “connect” therecombination system 62 with a user through scanning, infrared, optical,and physical connection techniques; 3) removing lock core 12 usingcontrol token 42 to access a contact not positioned on face plate 39 orkeyway 37; or 4) any other type of communication technique.

Any of the following components may be used to connect a user andrecombination system 62 so that a user can communicate withrecombination system 62: metallic contacts; conductive elastic contacts;capacitive coupling; inductive coupling; optical coupling; combinationof metallic contacts and either optical, inductive, or capacitivecoupling; combination of conductive elastic contacts and either optical,inductive, or capacitive coupling; the above power and communicationsmethods in combination with the Token ID Reader (i.e., through arecombination token).

The lock core circuit 52 may also include a clock 66 that cooperateswith lock operator 60 to recombinate lock operator 60 at certain times.By recombinating lock operator 60 in this manner, a first token 10 maybe granted access through lock core 12 only for a selected twelve hoursof a day and a second token may be granted access through the same lockcore 12 only for the other twelve hours of a day. This type ofrecombination could grant users access only during the time periods whenthey are to be in a facility.

The lock core circuit 52 and/or token circuit 48 may include a tokenaccess history 64, 78 that records the tokens 10 which have communicatedwith lock core 12. In some embodiments, the lock core circuit 52 and/ortoken circuit 48 also include a clock 66, 80 communicating with tokenaccess history 64, 78 to provide the time when the tokens 10communicated with lock core 12. A user may communicate with token accesshistory 64, 78 in the same manner and using the same components asdescribed above for recombination system 62.

Any of the following components may be used as clock 66, 80: timekeepingelectronic circuit (such as those made by, Dallas Semiconductor,Panasonic); timekeeping algorithm in lock operator 60.

The token access history 64, 78 may include a static random accessmemory. The static random access memory always requires power and thus apower source 68, 82 must be located in the same circuit 48, 52 as tokenaccess history 64, 78 including a static random access memory. When atoken 10 is not communicating with lock core 12, the static randomaccess memory does not require much power. The static random accessmemory requires significantly more power when a token 10 iscommunicating with lock core 12.

The token access history 64 may also include an Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (“EEPROM”). The EEPROM does not needexternal power from a power source 68, 82 because the EEPROM includes acapacitor that discharges over a lifetime of approximately 10 years. Inalternative embodiments, the token access history may include any typeof device having the ability to store information concerning tokens thatcommunicate with a lock core, download that information, and meet thepower and space restrictions imposed by the lock core and token.

Another form of recombination or downloading access history informationis through token 10 receiving information from a first lock core 12 andthen transmitting that information to a second lock core 12. Forexample, the security system of facility could include the lock cores onthe outer perimeter of the facility hard-wired into a central databaseand lock cores 12 within the facility that operate as standalone units.As a token 10 is used to enter the outer perimeter of the facility, thecentral database could download recombinating information onto the tokencircuit 48. Then, as the token 10 is used in lock cores 12 within thefacility, the token circuit 48 would recombinate the lock core circuits52. While the token 10 is within lock core 12, token access historyinformation from the lock core circuit 52 is downloaded onto the tokencircuit 48. Later, as the token 10 is used to exit the outer perimeterof the facility, the token history information is downloaded to thecentral database from token circuit 48.

As discussed above, because lock core 12 is a standalone unit, eithertoken 10, lock core 12, or both token 10 and lock core 12 must include apower source 68, 82 that provides power to lock operator 60, actuator54, recombination system 62, token access history 64, 78 tokenidentification reader 58, clock 66, 80, token operator 75, and tokenidentification information 74. If power source 82 is located in token10, the power will be transmitted into lock core circuit 52 throughtoken identification reader 58. The power received from token 10 is thensent to a power conditioner 70 to place the power in a usable form andthen to a power distributor 72 which distributes power to all of thepower-consuming components of lock core 12. If power source 68 islocated in lock core 12, the power will be transmitted into tokencircuit 48 through token operator 75.

Power conditioner 70 could be any of the following components: 7800 or7900 type linear power regulator, switching regulator, charge pump,Zener regulator, battery charger and regulator combination circuit.

Power distributor 72 could be any of the following components: wires,circuit board traces, connectors, metallic contacts, conductive elasticcontacts.

The power source 68, 82 could be located in both lock core 12 and token10. This type of power source 68 configuration could, for example,include a power source 68 in lock core circuit 52 that providescontinuous power to clock 66 of lock core circuit 52 and a power source82 in token circuit 48 that provides power to the other power-consumingcomponents of lock core 12 only when token 10 interacts with lock core12. Compared to a configuration wherein the entire power source 68 islocated within lock core circuit 52, this configuration wherein thepower source 68, 82 is divided between lock core 12 and token 10 freesup more space in lock core 12 for other mechanisms.

The power source 68, 82 may be any type of device that provides thenecessary amount of power to the components requiring power. The powersource 68, 82 could be one of the following items: electrochemicalbattery such as those made by Duracell, re-chargeable electrochemicalbattery, capacitor, super capacitor such as the P695X series made byPanasonic, magneto current generator, piezoelectric polymer film orpiezoelectric ceramic electric generator.

In addition, the power could be generated solely or supplemented bypower generated by a user of token 10. This power could be generated bythe user gripping the token 10 or rotating or sliding the token 10 inthe lock core 12. For example, the lock core could include a slidableflap positioned within the keyway 37 that token 10 would engage and moveupon sliding token 10 into and through keyway 37. The flap could beconnected to any power source 68, 82 or power conditioner 70 and powerdistributor 72 mentioned within this application. Further, this flapcould be positioned near the front of lock core 12 to provide protectionto components contained within lock core 12.

A piezoelectric material that possesses the ability to generate anelectrical potential when subjected to a mechanical strain may be usedto generate power from the user's movement of token 10. In addition amagneto may be used to generate power from a user operating token 10.

Various lock core circuits 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128, 1130, 1132,1134, 1136, 1138, 1140, 1142, 1144, 1146, 1148, 1150 having differentcombinations of the above elements are shown in FIGS. 29-44. Lock corecircuit 1120 is shown in FIG. 29 and includes token ID reader 58, lockoperator 60, recombination system 62, clock 66, and power source 68. Theclock 66, recombination system 62, and token ID reader 58 all feed intolock operator 60 and lock operator 60 processes all the information anddetermines whether to permit actuator 54 to move mechanical linkage 57so that key plug 30 can rotate relative to core body 28. The input tolock core circuit 1120 through token identification reader 58 is tokenidentification information 114 and the output from lock core circuit1120 through token identification reader 58 is token access historyinformation 116. Lock core circuit 120 could be used with a tokencircuit 48 having token access history 78 that would receive and storetoken access history information 116. In addition, lock core 1120provides a power output 118 that can provide power to components oftoken circuit 48. Token identification information 114, token accesshistory information 116, and power output 118 can flow through the sameor separate contacts 50, 56.

Lock core circuit 1122 is shown in FIG. 30 and is identical to lock corecircuit 1120 except that lock core circuit 1122 includes a power source68 that only provides power to clock 66. The power for the remainingcomponents is provided in the form of power input 118 provided from apower source 82 in a token 10. The power input 118 is input into lockcore circuit 1122 through token identification reader 58 and sentthrough a power conditioner 70 and power distributor 72 before beingtransmitted to all of lock core circuit 1122 components requiring power.

Lock core circuit 1124 is shown in FIG. 31 and is identical to lock corecircuit 1120 except that lock core circuit 1124 includes a token accesshistory 64. Token access history 64 receives and stores information fromlock operator 60 including, if desired, information from clock 66.

Lock core circuit 1126 is shown in FIG. 32 and is identical to lock corecircuit 1124 except that lock core circuit 1126 includes a power source68 that only provides power to clock 66. The power for the remainingcomponents of lock core circuit 1126 is provided in the form of powerinput 118 provided from a power source 82 in a token 10.

Lock core circuit 1128 is shown in FIG. 33. Lock core circuit 1128 isidentical to lock core circuit 1120 except that lock core circuit 1128does not include a clock 66. Because lock core circuit 1128 does notinclude either clock 66 or token access history 64, lock core circuit1128 sends all token access history information 116 to token 10 to bestored by token circuit 48 if token circuit 48 includes token accesshistory 78.

Lock core circuit 1130 is shown in FIG. 34 and is identical to lock corecircuit 1128 except that lock core circuit 1130 does not include a powersource 68 and thus receives all required power from a power input 118.Power received through power input 118 is generated by a power source 82located in token circuit 48.

Lock core 1132 is shown in FIG. 35 and is identical to lock core circuit1128 except that lock core circuit 1132 includes a token access history64.

Lock core circuit 1134 shown in FIG. 36 is identical to lock corecircuit 1132 except that lock core circuit 1134 does not include a powersource 68 and thus receives all required power from power input 118.

Lock core circuits 1136, 1138, 1140, 1142, 1144, 1146, 1148, and 1150shown in FIGS. 37-44 do not include a recombination system 62 and thuslock operator 60 of these lock core circuits 1136, 1138, 1140, 1142,1144, 1146, 1148, and 1150 cannot be changed. These lock core circuits1136, 1138, 1140, 1142, 1144, 1146, 1148, and 1150 are used with tokens10 having token circuits 48 that include information about which lockcores 12 the tokens 10 are granted access to use. Thus, the tokencircuits 48 are “recombinated” instead of the lock core circuits 1136,1138, 1140, 1142, 1144, 1146, 1148, and 1150. The differences betweenlock core circuits 1136, 1318, 1140, 1142, 1144, 1146, 1148, and 1150are similar to the differences between lock core circuits 1120, 1122,1124, 1126, 1128, 1130, 1132, and 1134 shown in FIGS. 29-36. Thosedifferences are basically whether the lock core circuit includes a tokenaccess history 64, clock 66, power source 68, or power conditioner anddistributor 70, 72.

Various token circuits 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158, 1160, 1162 having variouscombinations of token access history 78, clock 80, and power source 82are shown in FIGS. 45-50. Token circuit 1152 is the simplest tokencircuit and includes only token identification information 74 and tokenoperator 75 as shown in FIG. 45. All power required to operate tokencircuit 1152 is received from a power source 68 in a lock core circuit52 through power input 118. The only output of token operator 75 istoken identification information 114 that is used by lock operator 60 oflock core circuits 52.

Token circuit 1154 is identical to token circuit 1152 except that tokencircuit 1514 includes a power source 82 as shown in FIG. 46. Thus,instead of receiving power, token circuit 1154 outputs power 118 to beused by a lock core circuit 52.

Token circuit 1156 is shown in FIG. 47 and is identical to token circuit1152 except that token circuit 1156 includes token access history 78.Token circuit 1156 receives token access history information 116 fromlock core circuits 52 and stores that information in token accesshistory 78.

Token circuit 1158 is identical to token circuit 1156 except that tokencircuit 1158 includes a power source 82 as shown in FIG. 48. Tokencircuit 1160 is identical to token circuit 1152 except that tokencircuit 1158 includes a clock 80 and a power source 82 as shown in FIG.49. The power source 82 could be used solely to power clock 80, allcomponents of token circuit 1160, or all components of token circuit1160 and a lock core circuit 52 through power input 118. The clock 80could be used to provide time information to a token access history 64of a lock core circuit 52 or to provide time information to a lockoperator 60 of a lock core circuit 52 to assist lock operator 60 indetermining if a token 10 should be granted access.

Token circuit 1162 is identical to token circuit 1160 except that tokencircuit 1162 includes token access history 78 as shown in FIG. 50. Allof the tokens circuits 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158, 1160, 1162 can be usedwith lock core circuits 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128, 1130, 1132, 1134,1136, 1138, 1140, 1142, 1144, 1146, 1148, 1150 except that one of thecircuits must include a power source 68, 82 providing power to allpower-consuming components. While some combinations of the circuits mayprovide redundant functions such as clock 66, 80 and token accesshistory 64, 78, these redundant functions can be used to verifyoperations.

Another preferred embodiment of a lock core 1212 and token 1210 is shownin FIGS. 51 and 52. Lock core 1212 does not include a mechanical portionand thus token 1210 does not need to include a mechanical portion exceptto the extent that token 1210 must be able to rotate key plug 30.Instead, lock core 1212 includes an electrical portion 1214 having anelectrical circuit 1216, first and second actuators 1218, 1220, andfirst and second mechanical linkages 1222, 1224. Actuators 1218, 1220may be the same type of actuators as described above for actuator 54. Inaddition, mechanical linkages 1222, 1224 may be the same type oflinkages described above for linkage 57. Each of actuators 1218, 1220interact with mechanical linkages 1222, 1224 in the same manner asactuator 54 and mechanical linkage 57.

Token 1210 includes an electrical portion 1226 that interacts withelectrical portion 1214 of lock core 1212 to permit rotation of key plug30 alone or key plug 30, control sleeve 32, and control lug 34 together.Because lock core 1212 does not include a mechanical portion, electricalportion 1214 of lock core 1212 must determine if token 1210 presented tolock core 1212 should be granted access and determine if the token 1210presented is a control token 1228 or an operating token 1230.

Before token 1210 is presented to lock core 1212, first mechanicallinkage 1222 couples key plug 30 to core body 28 and second mechanicallinkage 224 couples key plug 30 and control sleeve 32 to core body 28.When token 1210 is inserted into keyway 37 of lock core 1212, token 1210engages first mechanical linkage 1222 to transfer energy from themovement of token 1210 to mechanical linkage 1222 in the same mannerthat token 10 transferred energy to mechanical linkage 57 as discussedabove. While token 1210 engages first mechanical linkage 1222, token 210does not engage second mechanical linkage 1224. In alternativeembodiments, second mechanical linkage could also engage the token orfirst mechanical linkage could be similar to second mechanical linkageand not engage the token.

First mechanical linkage 1222 is the same as mechanical linkage 57 andincludes first and second portions 1232, 1234 that have abutting facespositioned relative to an interface 1236 between key plug 30 and corebody 28 as shown in FIG. 51. Second mechanical linkage 1224 includesthree portions 1238, 1240, 1242 having abutting faces positionedrelative to an interface 1244 between key plug 30 and control sleeve 32and an interface 1246 between control sleeve 32 and core body 28. Beforeelectrical circuit 1216 causes first actuator 1218 to move first linkage1222, the portions 1232, 1234 of linkage 1222 are positioned so thatcore body 28 and key plug 30 are coupled together. Before electricalcircuit 1216 causes second actuator 1220 to move second linkage 1224,the portions 1238, 1240, 1242 of mechanical linkage 1224 are positionedso that portions 1238, 1240, 1242 couple control sleeve 32 and key plug30 to core body 28.

When a proper operating token 1230 is presented to lock core 1212,electrical portion 1214 of lock core 1212 causes both actuators 1218,1220 to operate to move first and second linkages 1222, 1224 to aposition so that control sleeve 32 and control lug 34 are coupled tocore body 28 through second linkage 1224 and key plug 30 is permitted torotate relative to core body 28 and control sleeve 32 as shown in FIG.51. More specifically, first actuator 1218 moves first linkage 1222 in aposition so that neither of portions 1232, 1234 couple key plug 30 tocore body 28. Second linkage 1224 is moved to 1) position portion 1238of second linkage 1224 in a manner to couple control sleeve 32 and corebody 28 and 2) position the abutting faces of portions 1240 and 1242 atinterface 1244 between key plug 30 and control sleeve 32 so that keyplug 30 is rotatable relative to core body 28 and control sleeve 32.This positioning of first and second linkages 1222, 1224 permits keyplug 30 to rotate relative to core body 28 and control sleeve 32.

When a proper control token 1228 is presented to lock core 1212,electrical portion 1214 of lock core 1212 causes both actuators 1218,1220 to move mechanical linkages 1222, 1224 to a position to permit keyplug 30 and control lug 34 to rotate together as shown in FIG. 52. Firstlinkage 1222 is moved to the same position as when proper operatingtoken 1230 is inserted permitting key plug 30 to rotate relative to corebody 28. Second actuator 1220 moves second linkage 1224 to positionportions 1238, 1240, 1242 so that 1) abutting faces between portions1238 and 1240 are at interface 1246 between control sleeve 32 and corebody 28 and control sleeve 32 is rotatable relative to core body 28 and2) portion 1242 couples control sleeve 32 and key plug 30 together. Thispositioning of second linkage 1224 permits key plug 30 and controlsleeve 32 to be rotated relative to core body 28.

The description of portions 1232, 1234 of first mechanical linkage 1222and portions 1238, 1240, 1242 of second mechanical linkage 1224 are forillustrative purposes only to illustrate how linkages 1222, 1224 aremoved to couple and uncouple key plug 30, control sleeve 32, and corebody 28.

Various electrical lock core circuits 1250, 1252, 1254, 1256, 1258,1260, 1262, 1264, 1266, 1268, 1270, 1272, 1274, 1276, 1278, and 1280that can be used in lock core 1212 are shown in FIGS. 53-68. Lock corecircuits 1250, 1252, 1254, 1256, 1258, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1266, 1268,1270, 1272, 1274, 1276, 1278, and 1280 are identical to lock corecircuits lock core circuits 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128, 1130, 1132,1134, 1136, 1138, 1140, 1142, 1144, 1146, 1148, and 1150, respectively,of lock core 12 except that lock operator 60 communicates with twoseparate actuators 1218, 1220 in lock core circuits 1250, 1252, 1254,1256, 1258, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1266, 1268, 1270, 1272, 1274, 1276, 1278,and 1280 and a single actuator 54 in lock core circuits 1120, 1122,1124, 1126, 1128, 1130, 1132, 1134, 1136, 1138, 1140, 1142, 1144, 1146,1148, and 1150. The electrical token lock core circuits 1152, 1154,1156, 1158, 1160, and 1162 that can be used in token 1210 are shown inFIGS. 45-50.

Another preferred embodiment of a lock core 1312 is shown in FIG. 69.Lock core 1312 is identical to lock core 12 except that actuator 54communicates with a clutch 1314 positioned to lie between lock core 1312and throw member 18 instead of mechanical linkage 57. All othercomponents of lock core 1312 are identical to lock core 12 and arenumbered similarly.

The mechanical linkage 57 of lock core 12 and mechanical linkages 1222,1224 of lock core 1212 can be referred to as brakes. The clutch 1314 andbrakes 57, 1222, 1224 operate to permit key plug 30 to rotate alone ortogether with control sleeve 32 and control lug 34 if a proper token 10is presented to lock core 12, 1312. However, clutch 1314 and brakes 57,1222, 1224 permit the rotation in different manners. As discussed abovein reference to actuator 54, brakes 57, 1222, 1224 do not permit keyplug 30 or control lug 34 to rotate until circuit 52, 1216 permitsactuator 54 to operate to move brakes 57, 1222, 1224. Clutch 1314 alwayspermits token 10 to rotate key plug 30, but key plug 30 does not rotatethrow member 18 until electrical circuit 52 permits clutch 1314 tooperate. Using brakes 57, 1222, 1224 may permit a vandal to “overtorque”brakes 57, 1222, 1224 by shearing the mechanism coupling key plug 30 andcore body 28. Once the mechanism is sheared, the vandal may be able torotate the key plug 30, throw member 18, and control lug 34 and achieveunauthorized access. To prevent a vandal from achieving unauthorizedaccess, the token could be designed to break before the actuator brake57, 1222, 1224 is overtorqued.

Another preferred embodiment of a lock core 1322 is shown in FIG. 70.Lock cores 12, 1212, 1312, and 1322 include a front side 92 and a backside 94. Lock core 1322 is identical to lock core 12 except thatmechanical portion 20 of lock core 1322 is positioned to lie near frontside 92 of lock core 1322 and electrical portion 22 of lock core 1322 ispositioned to lie near back side 94 of lock core 1322 Basically, lockcore 1322 and lock core 12 are identical except that the positions ofmechanical and electrical portions 20, 22 within the lock cores arereversed. Because mechanical portion 20 moved near front side 92 of lockcore 1322, control sleeve 32 is positioned to lie near the front side 92of lock core. 1322 as opposed to near the back side 94 of lock core 12.Thus, lock core 1322 will include a control lug (not shown) coupled tocontrol sleeve 32 that is positioned near the front side 92 of lock core1322 compared to control lug 34 of lock core 12 that is positioned tolie near the back side 94 of lock core 12.

Because the position of the control lug of lock core 1322 is near frontside 92 of lock core 1322, lock core 1322 is not interchangeable withconventional lock cores. As discussed above, lock cylinders 14 thatreceive the conventional lock cores include a recess 38 that receivescontrol lug 34. This recess 38 is positioned to receive a control lug 34that is located near back side 94 of a lock core such as in lock core 12as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, if lock core 1322 is used, the lock cylinderthat receives lock core 1322 must include a recess positioned to receivea control lug located near front side 92 of the lock core 1322.

In alternative embodiments, the lock core does not need to include acontrol lug or be interchangeable. For example, Schlage® produces aPrimus™ lock core and Corbin-Ruswin® produces a 2000 Series™ lock corethat are not interchangeable. The present invention can be incorporatedinto such noninterchangeable lock cores.

Tokens 10, 1210 can include many different types of electrical contacts50 that communicate with electrical contacts 56 in lock cores 12, 1212,1312, 1322. Several types of contacts and token are shown in FIGS.71-76. A token 1330 having an electrical circuit 1332 and electricalcontact 1334 is shown in FIG. 71. Token 1330 further includes a bow 1336and a bitted blade 1338 having a proximal end 1340 coupled to bow 1336and a distal end 1342 spaced apart from proximal end 1340. Electricalcircuit 1332 is positioned to lie in bow 1336 and electrical contact1334 is positioned to lie at distal end 1342 of bitted blade 1338.

Another embodiment of a token 1350 and electrical contact 1352 is shownin FIG. 72. All components of token 1350 except contact 1352 areidentical to token 1330 and numbered similarly. Electrical contact 1352is positioned to lie between the proximal and distal ends 1340, 1342 ofbitted blade 1338 and extend through a side of bitted blade 1338.

A token 1360 having an electrical circuit 1370 and inductance typeelectrical contact 3162 is shown in FIG. 73. Token 1360 includes a bow1364 and blade 1366 coupled to bow 1364. Inductance type electricalcontact 1362 includes a coil 1368 that is positioned to lie within blade1366 of token 1360. Token 1360 having inductance type electrical contact1362 is used with a lock core 12, 1212, 1312, 1322 having an electricalcontact 56 configured to communicate with such an inductance typeelectrical contact 1362.

In the tokens 1330, 1350, 1360 shown in FIGS. 71, 72, and 73, theelectrical circuits 1332, 1370 are all positioned to lie in bow 1336,1364 and electrical contacts 1334, 1352, 1362 are positioned to lie inblade 1338, 1366. In alternative embodiments, each of the electricalcircuits and electrical contacts could be positioned to lie in eitherthe blade, bow, or both. For example, both the electrical circuit andelectrical contact could be positioned to lie in the bow as shown, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,801 to Stinar which is incorporatedherein by reference.

A token 1380 having a bow 1382, a bitted blade 1384 coupled to bow 1382,and a cylindrical blade 1386 appended to bow 1382 is shown in FIG. 53.Bitted blade 1384 can include an electrical contact (not shown) and beused in lock cores that include only a mechanical portion, only anelectrical portion, or both mechanical and electrical portions.Cylindrical blade 1386 could be used in different types of lock coresthat include only electrical portions. Cylindrical blade 1386 includeselectrical contacts 1388 in the form of a plurality of strips 1390 onthe outer surface of cylindrical blade 1386. The lock core thatcylindrical blade 1386 communicates with may only include a singleelectrical contact strip and thus the plurality of strips 1390 oncylindrical blade 1386 permit cylindrical blade 3186 to be placed in thelock core in several different orientations and still communicate withthe lock core.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 74, cylindrical blade 1386 extendssubstantially perpendicular relative to bitted blade 1384. Inalternative embodiments, the cylindrical blade and bitted blade may beoriented at different angles relative to each other as long as both thecylindrical blade and bitted blade can be inserted into a lock core.

Another preferred token 1410 is shown in FIG. 75. Token 1410 includes abow 1412 and a triangular-shaped blade 1414 coupled to bow 1412. Thetoken 1410 further includes electrical contacts 1416 in the form ofelongated strips 1418 extending along two of the three sides of thetriangular-shaped blade 1414.

Another preferred embodiment of a token 1420 is shown in FIG. 76. Thetoken 1420 includes a bow 1422, a bitted blade 1424 coupled to the bow1422, and an electrical contact 1426 positioned on bitted blade 1424. Aportion of a lock core electrical contact 1428 that communicates withtoken electrical contact 1426 is also shown in FIG. 76.

The electrical contact 56 in lock core 12, 1212, 1312, 1322 thatcommunicates with electrical contacts 1334, 1352, 1362, 1388, 1416, 1426must be located within lock core 12, 1212, 1312, 1322 so that theelectrical contacts 56, 1334, 1352, 1362, 1388, 1416, 1426 cancommunicate. The electrical contacts 56, 1334 can communicate throughdirect physical interaction, infrared, and optical techniques. Morespecifically, any of the following components can be used as electricalcontacts 56, 1334, 1352, 1362, 1388, 1416, 1426: metallic contacts;conductive elastic contacts; capacitive coupling; inductive coupling;optical coupling; combination of metallic contacts and either optical,inductive, or capacitive coupling; combination of conductive elasticcontacts and either optical, inductive, or capacitive coupling.

Another embodiment of a token is a rechargeable token. To save space inthe token and lock core, the power source could be a rechargeablebattery positioned to lie in the token. The rechargeable token could berecharged by placing the token in a charger when the token is not needed(i.e., when the user is sleeping at night). The token could also berecharged by being carried in a token holder that continuously chargesthe token. The token could fold out, slide out, snap out, etc. of thetoken holder.

The tokens and electrical contacts shown in FIGS. 71-76 are onlyexemplary of the types of tokens and electrical contacts that can beused. In general, the token includes a blade member having across-sectional shape that is accepted in an opening formed in a lockcore. The token also includes electrical contacts that engage contactsincluded in the lock core. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of theblade member permits the member to rotate a portion of the lock core. Inalternative embodiments, other types of tokens and electrical contactsmay be used.

As discussed above, one or both of the token and lock core must includea power source 68, 82. FIGS. 77, 78, and 79 shown possible locations ofa power source 68, 82 (in phantom) including the blade or bow of token10 and lock core 12, respectively.

The present invention also includes locking systems having tokens thatare empowered to perform selected functions. A conventional lockingsystem typically includes a lock core mounted to a door, wall, box,cabinet, etc. and a token that cooperates with the lock core to permit auser access through the door or into the box, cabinet, etc. Conventionaltokens include bitted keys that are “cut” to fit into selected lockcores. Once a bitted key is made, it may not readily or easily bereconfigured to fit into a different lock core.

A token 1450 is provided that can be programmed or charged to performselected functions. Before being charged, the token 1450 is not able toperform any functions. The token 1450 may be programmed, for example, tobe inserted into only selected lock cores and/or inserted into selectedlock cores in a certain order. These programmable tokens 1450 may alsobe “read” after use to determine the lock cores in which the token 1450was inserted and the time when the token 1450 was inserted in the lockcore.

A programmable token 1450, token information programmer 1452, and tokenpower charger 1454 are shown in FIGS. 80, 81, and 82. The programmabletoken 1450 is stored in token power charger 1454 until the token 1450 isneeded as shown in FIG. 80. When the token 1450 is needed to perform aparticular function, the token 1450 is placed in token informationprogrammer 1452 to receive information about the functions it is toperform.

The token 1450 includes a bitted blade 1456, a handle 1458, and anelectrical portion (not shown) that receives and stores the informationreceived from token information charger 1452 and later uses thatinformation to communicate with lock cores. The electrical portion maybe any of the token electrical portions discussed above. In alternativeembodiments, a bitted blade is not required and the token may operate alock core or other locking mechanism through electrical communicationalone.

The token 1450 also includes a killswitch 1460 having a lever 1462coupled to handle 1458 and an electrical contact 1464 coupled to handle1458 that lever 1462 can engage and disengage as shown in FIGS. 81 and82. The token 1450 can be programmed so that a user must depress lever1462 to engage contact 1464 once token 1450 is charged for token 1450 tobe able to perform its selected functions. If the user releases lever1462 so that lever 1462 disengages contact 1464, then token 1450 is notable to operate to perform any additional functions. This is useful in aprison or other high security application where the user of the chargedtoken 1450 can release lever 1462 and deactivate token 1450 if the useris overcome by anyone seeking access to token 1450. In alternativeembodiments, the killswitch may include different components. Inalternative embodiments, a killswitch is not required.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in thefollowing claims.

1. An access control system for a facility including a plurality ofaccess points, the system including at least one database includingrecombination data; a plurality of hard-wired access point controlspositioned to control access through the plurality of access points ofthe facility and hard-wired to the database to receive recombinationdata from the at least one database, the plurality of hard-wired accesspoint controls defining an outer perimeter; at least one access memorydevice having memory that stores recombination data from at least one ofthe plurality of hard-wired access point control; and a plurality ofstand-alone access point control positioned to control access throughthe plurality of access points of the facility, the stand-alone accesspoint controls including memory that stores recombination data receivedfrom the at least one access memory device, the plurality of stand-aloneaccess point controls being positioned within the outer perimeterdefined by the plurality of hard-wired access point controls.
 2. Theaccess system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hard-wired accesspoint controls and the plurality of stand-alone access point controlinclude readers that receive access memory device identificationinformation.
 3. The access system of claim 2, wherein at least onereader of the plurality of stand-alone access point controls communicateaccess memory device access history information to the at least oneaccess memory device and the reader of at least one of the plurality ofhard-wired access point controls receives access memory device accesshistory information from the access memory device.
 4. The access systemof claim 1, wherein the plurality of hard-wired access point controlsand the plurality of stand-alone access point controls include a lockcore with a plurality of tumbler pins and the at least one access memorydevice includes a key shank having bitting that corresponds to thetumbler pins of the lock cores.
 5. The access system of claim 4, whereinthe plurality of hard-wired access point controls and the plurality ofstand-alone access point controls include readers that receive accessmemory device identification information and are positioned within thelock cores.
 6. The access system of claim 1, wherein communicationbetween the plurality of hard-wired access point controls and theplurality of stand-alone access point controls and the at least oneaccess memory device occurs through a conductive path.
 7. An accesscontrol system for a facility including a plurality of access points,the system including at least one access memory device having memory; aplurality of one stand-alone access point controls positioned to controlaccess through the plurality of access points of the facility, thestand-alone access point controls determining if the at least one accessmemory device has access rights to the access points, the plurality ofstand-alone access point controls including memory that records accesshistory information, the plurality of stand-alone access point controlsand the at least one access memory device having communicators throughwhich the access history information is downloaded from the memory of atleast one of the stand-alone access point controls to the memory of theat least one access memory device; a plurality of hard-wired accesspoint controls positioned to control access through the plurality ofaccess points of the facility, the plurality of hard-wired access pointcontrols having a communicator through which the access historyinformation is downloaded from the memory of the access memory device,the plurality of hard-wired access control points controls defining anouter perimeter, the plurality of stand-alone access point controlsbeing positioned within the outer perimeter defined by the plurality ofhard-wired access point controls; and at least one database receivingthe access history information from the plurality of hard-wired accesspoint controls.
 8. The access system of claim 7, wherein the pluralityof hard-wired access point controls and the plurality of stand-aloneaccess point controls include readers that receive access memory deviceidentification information.
 9. The access system of claim 8, wherein thereaders of the plurality of stand-alone access point controlscommunicate access memory device access history information to the atleast one access memory device and the readers of the plurality ofhard-wired access point controls receives access memory device accesshistory information from the access memory device.
 10. The access systemof claim 9, wherein the plurality of hard-wired access point controlsand the plurality of stand-alone access point controls include a lockcore with a plurality of tumbler pins and the at least one access memorydevice includes a key shank having bitting that corresponds to thetumbler pins of the lock cores.
 11. The access system of claim 10,wherein the plurality of hard-wired access point controls and theplurality of stand-alone access point controls include readers thatreceive access memory device identification information and arepositioned within the lock cores.
 12. The access system of claim 7,wherein communication between the plurality of hard-wired access pointcontrols and the plurality of stand-alone access point controls and atleast one access memory device occurs through a conductive path.